• About
  • Tutorials
    • Basic
    • Advanced
    • Pro
    • Post Processing
  • Editorials
  • Reviews
  • Partner with Us
    • Advertise
    • Write for Us
    • Send product for review
Please setup "Top Menu" using Wordpress Dashboard > Appearance > Menus

  • About
  • Tutorials
    • Basic
    • Advanced
    • Pro
    • Post Processing
  • Editorials
  • Reviews
  • Partner with Us
    • Advertise
    • Write for Us
    • Send product for review
  • Login Register

How to Create Repetition in Photography

Photography tutorial will show you how to create repetitive composition.
Article By Sasha Gitin Video By Robert Grant

350

Photography is a marriage of science and art. In this tutorial we would like to focus on the art aspect of photography.
Previously we discussed how to create photographic composition, today we would like to go deeper into fundamentals that can guide you to create a great image.

Principals of Photography.

Just as any other form of visual arts, photography is based on certain fundamental guidelines. There are 9 Principals of Art that relate to photographic creation:

repetition colors on white

 

  1. Repetition a.k.a (Pattern & Rhythm)
  2. Balance
  3. Contrast
  4. Movement
  5. Proportion
  6. Emphasis
  7. Variety
  8. Harmony
  9. Unity

Today we would like to start with the principal of art called: Repetition.

Repetition: Is the movement or variation characterized by the regular recurrence or alternation of different quantities or conditions of an object, shape line or form.

Artistic creation is not a mechanical process and one should approach creating art based of rules. However it is important to identify principals and elements of art when evaluating your own work or the work of other artist that you admire. Identifying principals and elements will help see what made that particular image so attractive to you.

In your own creative process you will notice that while using a single Principal of Art you may consciously or subconsciously create a piece witch is in tune with other principals of art as well.

As an example lets evaluate Robert’s Image (which was created in Video tutorial above) and see what principals are present:

repetition white bowls on black
photo by Robert Grant

Visual Evaluation based on Principals of Art

Repetition: (yes!) multiple objects of the same shape (6 while bowls) were positioned in a manner where they formed a pattern
Balance: (yes!) Composition was arranged in a way that no one part of a work overpowers, or seems heavier than any other part and asymmetrically balanced.
Contrast: (yes!) Dark shadows and bright highlight brought a lot of life into this image and added a lot of graphic interest.
Movement: (yes!) Directional Lighting and perspective helps the viewer’s eye to move from darker to lighter tones until the eye temporally fixates on the blue bowl and softly exits the image following the highlights on the edges of bowls.
Proportion: (yes!) Using lower camera angle perspective was achieved to help create movement. The use of tele-photo lens helped to create an illusion of compressed perspective and thus to control proportions of the size of the bowls. This also helped to conceptually emphasize that one bowl is not more important then the other. (size doesn’t matter but content does)
Emphasis: (yes!) the fact that there is water in one of the bowls has created a center of interest
Variety: (yes!) the blue color of water and the fact that one of the bowls was full not only created Emphasis (focal point) but also created a sense of alternation. Variety is always more interesting than repetition of the same.
Harmony: (yes!) It was achieved here because of the use similar objects throughout the work. The image created non-complicated pleasant look and feel.
Unity: (yes!) Effective use of the elements and principles of art led to a wholeness of the image (well done Dr. Bob!)

Conclusion:

Repetition was the main drive behind creating this image. But in the process of making this piece all of the principals of art were incorporated. In near future we will create tutorials emphasizing other principals and elements of art that can guide to creating beautiful images. Stay Tuned.
repetition architecture photo by Robert Grant

Tools used in video:

Vellum Diffusion Tissue Paper Roll
70-200 f4 L canon lens

Challenge for you: Create an image using repetition and pattern. You may set your own still life or capture repetitive composition present in nature or architecture. Post it here using Share your Shot Feature in Comments.


Related Posts


Photographer the Jack of All Trades
April 27, 2012

Focus Stacking and Bracketing Technique for Marco Jewelry Photography
November 8, 2010

Photography Tips For Shooting Overhead
September 11, 2010

Sasha Gitin
This Article was produced by Sasha Gitin and Robert Grant: co-founders of LearnMyShot.com.  Sasha is a fabulous food Photographer shooting for advertising and editorial industries. Robert Grant is a very creative Commercial Photographer shooting advertising and editorial, based in Connecticut. Two humble guys trying to keep you educated and entertained.

Tags: commercial, composition, food, reflection, repetition, tutorial, water

Post a Comment Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

LOGINSIGN UP


350 Comments

JC Gureghian
5 years ago

Log in to reply to this



Napkin tower

    SASHA GiTiN
    SASHA GiTiN
    5 years ago



    great image !

Kuldeep Goswami
6 years ago

Log in to reply to this



Here is something I captured few days ago : http://www.flickr.com/photos/13015814@N02/8586054565/in/photostream/

    Kuldeep Goswami
    6 years ago



    and this few years ago :) : http://www.flickr.com/photos/13015814@N02/6622099657/in/photostream/

bonterm graphy
6 years ago

Log in to reply to this



glass of milk

thnk for the idea ;)

sadya zirkind
6 years ago

Log in to reply to this



Moms home made cupcakes

Just learning

    sadya zirkind
    6 years ago



    can someone please tell me wear i can improve

WARDA AL SAIDI
6 years ago

Log in to reply to this



This is my shot : http://www.flickr.com/photos/witch0o0/

    WARDA AL SAIDI
    6 years ago



    http://www.flickr.com/photos/witch0o0/8345893666/in/photostream

Farah Kamal
6 years ago

Log in to reply to this



Can’t access this video on iPad any help?

Farah Kamal
6 years ago

Log in to reply to this



I can’t access this video on iPad? Can someone help please.

    WARDA AL SAIDI
    6 years ago



    watch it herehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be6UGk66ALw

    WARDA AL SAIDI
    6 years ago



    watch it herehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be6UGk66ALw

Ken Sterzuk
6 years ago

Log in to reply to this



repetition

Just joined. Lots of cool lessons on learnmyshot.

ravi singaraju
6 years ago

Log in to reply to this



Shot -1

My First shot, any suggestions/feedback !! (Am a new Joiner)

camellia momani
6 years ago

Log in to reply to this



https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/293879_435230099871981_222594815_n.jpg

camellia momani
6 years ago

Log in to reply to this



color…

life colors

Faisal Mirza
6 years ago

Log in to reply to this



Denver LoDo

I am new to this site and amateur photographer. Thanks for the helpful tips.

Aziz Al-Derbass
6 years ago

Log in to reply to this



,

.

Rizza Robiso
7 years ago

Log in to reply to this



My repetition :D

Hi! I just wanted to share this photo that I took in one of the events I have gone to.. Your comments will be much appreciate. Thanks :) -Beginner here :)

Rizza Robiso
7 years ago

Log in to reply to this



My repetition 2

Here is another shot for the repetition.. I really love shooting patterns and details :) Hope to hear advice from you, guys :)

chris lewis
7 years ago

Log in to reply to this



Repetition

Thanks for the ideas LMS!

chris lewis
7 years ago

Log in to reply to this



Repetition and Pour

Sorry. I couldn’t post just one.Nikon D7000 ISO 100, F11, 1/125, 130mm. Nikon CLS: main at 9 o’clock, fill at 2 o’clock, snooted strobe with orange gel behind glasses. SB-900′s and SB-700. No Photoshop; thank you very much.

David Ramirez
7 years ago

Log in to reply to this



I’m sorry, I cannot post my picture!! I’ve tried three times with no results. Is there something wrong with the web or is it my foult? Hope you can help me… Thank you.:’(

David Ramirez
7 years ago

Log in to reply to this



Rice and little lentils.

I love this web and your YouTube channel. Great job. I wait for your comments to improve my pictures (I’m very rookie).Thanks a lot.


show more comments


    • LearnMyShot offers free photography lessons, answers to your questions and a way to connect with other shooters
      Sign Up>
    • Recent Posts

      • One Light Creative Product Photography Tutorial
      • How to Shoot a Dramatic (And Spooky) Portrait Using a Two-Light Setup
      • What's Photographing A Bullfight Like? Mikkel Bache Answers
      • Why Documentary Photography Is Important
      • Light Diffusion Tutorial: Soft Light Vs. Hard Light
    • Recent Comments

      • Charleswhabs on Liquid Pour and Splash Photography Technique Using Continuous Light
      • Charleswhabs on Liquid Pour and Splash Photography Technique Using Continuous Light
      • scottnj on How To Photograph Steam
      • PattiW on One Light Creative Product Photography Tutorial
      • PattiW on One Light Creative Product Photography Tutorial
      • safaryar on A Guide to Stunning Landscape Photography: eBook Review
    • Categories

      • Advanced
      • Articles
      • Basic
      • Challenges
      • Commercial
      • Editorials
      • Equipment
      • Food
      • Found Artists
      • Hard Light
      • Landscape
      • Long Exposure
      • Macro
      • Motion
      • Natural Light
      • People
      • Pets
      • Photo Essay
      • Photoshop
      • Post Processing
      • Pro
      • Reflections
      • Reviews
      • Selective focus
      • Still Life
      • Studio Flash
      • Telephoto
      • Travel
      • Tutorials
      • Uncategorized
      • Wide Angle


  • Partner with Us

    • Advertise on LMS
    • Sponsor a Contest
    • Submit product for review
    • Write for us
    • Login/My Profile

about | contact us | terms of use | privacy